Laramie, WY (SportsNetwork.com) - Larry Nance Jr. scored 29 points, leading four starters in double figures, as the Wyoming Cowboys knocked off the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, 76-71, in the Mountain West Conference opener at Arena Auditorium.

Nance Jr. shot 11-of-17 from the floor, added five rebounds and three blocked shots for the Cowboys (12-2, 1-0 MWC) as they extended their win streak to four in a row. Derek Cooke Jr. accounted for 14 points, Riley Grabau 12 and Josh Adams 10 points in the home victory.

The Runnin' Rebels (9-4, 0-1) were led by Christian Wood and his 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds as well to tie for the game high, but he also turned the ball over six times without the benefit of a single assist. Rashad Vaughn pitched in with 16 points.

Both teams shot better than 55.0 percent from the field in the first half and thanks to a 6-of-10 effort beyond the arc, UNLV managed to pull out to a 37-33 advantage at the break.

In the second half both sides knocked down 51.9 percent from the floor (14- of-27), with the big difference taking place at the free-throw line where the Pokes outscored the visitors by a 13-2 margin.

For the game, one that featured six ties and just as many lead changes, Wyoming held a 15-7 scoring edge at the charity stripe.